Living traditions occupy a prominent place in the Indian social system.

Any living
tradition has a natural flow. There can be no doubt about the fact that traditional art forms
reflect the ideals of the society, its determination to survive, its ethos, emotions, fellowfeelings, and so on. Drama in itself is a complete form of arts. It includes in its
framework acting, dialogue, poetry, music, etc.
In community living, the art of singing has its own importance. In all the traditional
theatre-forms, songs and the art of singing have an important role to play. Traditional
music of the theatre is an expression of the feelings of the community.
Traditionally the language of ordinary people has an element of creativity, though not
based on classical or grammatical roots. This kind of creativity is spontaneous, emerging
from the circumstances. When there is intensity of emotions, there is a natural kind of
rhythm in the expressions. It is this natural rhythm from which emerges the traditional
theatre-form. In this art form, sorrow, joy, frustration, hatred and love have their role and
place.
In different regions of India, there are religious festivals, fairs, gatherings, ritual
offerings, prayers, almost throughout the year. During these occasions, traditional theatre
forms are presented. They reflect the common mans social attitudes and perceptions. In
this social portrayal, there is also the individuals role which is given due importance.
Traditional theatre forms incorporate not only the common mans interests but there is
also a classical element in them. This classical facet, however, takes on regional, local
and folk coloring. It is possible, that those associated with the classical world of Sanskrit
drama, went to the neighbouring regions after its decline and intermingled with the local
theatre forms. This kind of synthesis, give-and-take must have taken place on various
levels such as written, verbal, classical, contemporary, national and local.
In traditional theatre forms there are special styles of dance portraying the entry on to the
stage or platform, narrative and descriptive roles. The best example of descriptive acting
is the Bidapat naach. In this traditional theatre form, emphasis is not on beauty but on
acting itself and narrative and descriptive skills. Dance as a narrative art is the base of
theatre form which can be seen in the traditional theatre form of Bhavai of Gujarat. In
this form, quick or slow foot movement is a means of narration. The art of making the
entry by dancing has been perfected in the traditional Kashmiri theatre form, Bhand
Jashn. The way each character walks and enters the platform, identifies him. In
Koodiyaattam and Ankia Naat, the entry by dancing itself is complicated and artistic. In
the forms, the tempo and basic posture and gesture identifies the role of the character.